Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Feed Truck Rpm On Pellet Quality, Unloading Speed, And Feed Line Location On Pellet Quality And Nutrient Segregation, J. A. De Jong, J. M. Derouchey, B. Haberl, H. Williams, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, J. C. Woodworth, S. S. Dritz, C. R. Stark, C. K. Jones, L. Mckinney, D. Van Otterloo

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two separate studies were conducted at one commercial feed mill and six commercial wean-to-finish pig sites in northwest Iowa to determine the effects of feed truck unloading auger RPM on pellet quality and unloading time (Exp. 1) and the effects of feed line location on pellet quality and nutrient concentration of intact pellets and their fines (Exp. 2).

For Exp. 1, feed samples were taken from each compartment of an 8-compartment, 24-ton Walinga (Walinga Inc., Guelph, Ontario) feed truck. Feed was unloaded using 3 unloading speeds as determined by the truck RPM of 900, 1,150, and 1,400. Each compartment was …

Effects Of Varying Methodologies On Grain Particle Size Analysis, J. R. Kalivoda, C. K. Jones, C. R. Stark

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Particle size reduction is an important component of feed manufacturing that impacts pellet quality, feed flowability, and pig feed efficiency. The correct determination of particle size is important for feed manufacturers, nutritionists, and pork producers to meet target specifications. The current method for determining the geometric mean diameter (dgw) and geometric standard deviation (Sgw) of grains has been published by the ANSI/ASAE S319.4. This method controls many variables, including the suggested quantity of initial material and the type, number, and size of sieves. However, the method allows for variation in shake time, sieve agitators, and the use of a flow …

Irrigation Scheduling Based On Soil Moisture Sensors And Evapotranspiration, J. Aguilar, D. Rogers, I. Kisekka

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Irrigation scheduling is crucial to effectively manage water resources and optimize profitability of an irrigated operation. Tools that can be customized to a field’s characteristics can greatly facilitate irrigation scheduling decisions. Soil moisture sensors and the evapotranspiration (ET)-based KanSched are two of the tools that could be implemented in an irrigated farm. Focusing on the installation of soil moisture sensors, demonstration set-ups were established at the Southwest Research-Extension Center plots in Garden City, Kansas, and in a producer’s field, each with three types of moisture sensors at different depths. Among others, this project validates the importance of moisture sensors being …

Response Of Drought Tolerant And Conventional Corn To Limited Irrigation, I. Kisekka, F. Lamm, J. D. Holman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

With declining water levels in the Ogallala aquifer, many wells cannot supply peak irrigation water needs for corn. Emerging drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids could help farmers maintain yield with limited capacity wells. A knowledge gap exists comparing transgenic DT and conventional corn hybrids in yield response to water level. The purpose of this study was to compare yield, yield components, water productivity, and irrigation water use efficiency response of DT corn with cspB (DKC 6267 DGVT- 2PRO) transgene trait and conventional corn hybrid (DKC 62-98 VT2PRO) with similar maturity to full and limited irrigation. Preliminary results from the 2014 growing …

Evaluating The Accuracy Of The 3-Sieve Particle Size Analysis Method Compared To The 12-Sieve Method, G. E. Bokelman, S. C. Stewart, A. L. Baldridge, J. C. Woodworth, S. S. Dritz, J. R. Kalivoda, C. R. Stark, C. K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The 3-sieve particle size analysis method was developed to estimate the particle size of ground grain within feed mills without the time and expense required for a 12-sieve analysis. The 3-sieve method is more simplistic because it is hand-shaken and uses fewer sieves but has drawbacks because it is not as precise as the 12-sieve method. Because shaking is not automated, technician variation may impact results. Furthermore, the accuracy of the original 3-sieve method has been questioned because the method was developed for corn between 400 to 1,200μm, and the industry now grinds various grains more finely. Some …